13th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Year B:  June 28, 2015

First Reading:  2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27

Tess’s Tree by Jess M. Brallier

(Written for ages 4-8)

Comment: In reference to this text, Ralph W. Klein sates, “The church should be a place where death can be faced realistically and our grief over loss can be safely expressed. David’s dirge keeps us from moving too quickly to joy and praise after serious loss.” (https://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=334) After losing her beloved tree, Tess expresses her grief in many ways. She holds a funeral for her tree and many people come and share their stories of love for the tree. There is healing power in the process of shared lament and memory that we witness in both the text and story. Take time this week to consider who in your congregation is grieving, and what stories they might have to share with your community.

Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 8:7-15

It’s Mine by Leo Lionni

(Written for ages 3-7)

Comment:   This text is, in many ways, counter cultural because it focuses not on our own ability to accumulate more for ourselves, but is “a joyful vision of God’s abundant love and an invitation into our freedom to be generous.” (https://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=333) It’s Mine is a great book to help children consider the difference between the concepts of greed an generosity. When the frogs make the mental move fromit’s mine to it’s ours, they experience peace, beauty, and are “happy in a way they had never been before.” Invite your congregation to share their experiences of generosity.

Gospel Reading: Mark 5:21-43

A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip C. Stead

(Written for ages 4-8)

Comment:  “Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well… If I but touch his clothes, I will be made well.” In reflecting on this text, I’m struck by the power of healing touch. If you do a quick web search, you find a number of studies on the physical and emotional benefits of being touched. As children, many of us believed that a gentle touch or kiss from a loved one will help heal aches and pains. In the lovely illustrations of Stead’s story, the animals express their care and compassion for Amos when he is sick. The day of care culminates with all of the animals circled around him as they all prepare to go to sleep. Using this text and story, wonder together with your congregation about the role compassion and touch play in the work of healing.

The Lectonary Links this week are written by alumna Noell Rathbun-Cook, Minister of Children and Youth Discipleship at Grace Baptist Church in Richmond, VA.

Lectionary Links: Sunday, June 28, 2015 by Storypath is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.